Celeste

Quickbooks. Our bank wanted our to have something about our HOUSE involved. It got to be so much, PayPal was just easier! Celeste

No BEARS! Panthers....Grrrrrraahhh :)

I've determined that placing cones and caution tape only keeps smart people away. We placed cones across a road entering a cul-de-sac where we were acid washing one day. The real estate agent simply parked behind the cones and proceeded to walk her clients up toward the house. Here we are in full PPE looking like we were responding to a hazmat spill and she wanted to walk her customers through. I waylayed her to turn them back....mentioned acid and there was no problem with them beating feet back behind the cones. What I really wanted to ask her was if she know what cones and caution tape meant!

There you go.....that's where we were when we went to PayPal. We tried going with regular companies but the set up fees were stupid, the monthly minimums I could not justify and I absolutely was NOT going to pay a $5K deposit to cover my customers transactions. PayPal was easy, free, no minimums, 2.9% + .30 transaction fee. We've also earned enough cash back using our card to replace a good portion of what we paid to them in percentages. Celeste

Contrary to my post above (11/04), we began offering Pay Pal as a means to accept credit card payments and it has worked well for us. Yes the customer is required to have email and set up an account, we've run into customers that do have to go through the process to set it up but it's never been a deterrent. In my research for credit card companies, I found PayPal to be very competitive with the other rates I was quoted, I don't have to get a machine or worry that I ever had a credit card or account number. I let PayPal worry with the security issues. I also like the way that it gives us another "bank account" to use....when you receive money from PayPal, you can leave it there, earn cash back on purchases on the card they will issue you. We use it for ordering chems, stains, etc... online. Celeste

EEuuuuuwwww.!

We've signed up with them......this time of year we're not expecting to get overloaded with leads so I can't say that we're flooded. It's not expensive but there are still calculated risks with this type program. I think your geographical location is particularly important for success with them. You can be as broad in services or as narrow in area as you choose. It's toll free to call them to look into it :) Celeste

Anybody get any cool neat toys for Christmas? Let's see some pictures! Celeste

http://www.thegrimescene.com//gallery/showimage.php?i=355 Here you go Jon :)

First thing I'd be looking at is what they (the landscaping company) has bid for the pw'ing work. It may be that what your charge would be is already far over what they're accustomed to getting. After you've settled on the price, find out how they have generally gotten paid, ie, the condos pay him net 30, so you would expect to be paid by him at the same time. The one drawback to having him pay you that immediately jumps out at me is that you won't be positioned to place a mechanicsman/materialsman lien on the property since your contract with with another contractor. Celeste

Jeff LeCours - did you not learn from the conversation we had last year about that box system?!?! Don't feel like the Lone Ranger - I didn't either :( Guess that's what I'll be doing starting tomorrow - oh joy. Celeste

Wow Jeff, I'm so sorry......your mother very likely has no idea how lucky she is (given what she has experienced - she probably doesn't feel that way at all) to have family that goes to the lengths that you and your wife do. I am a research addict and will do anything I can to find information for you - anything you can send me (email or pm) that is very specific to her type cancer, ie medical terms would be helpful. Celeste

True.....this is quite true :)

So back to your name thing.....You could simply change the Discount to "Dependable" and base your company on your dependability using Jeff's MO of Quality Work and On Time Service. It would certainly be as simplistic as Discount but not lend the air of a lower price or quality (and you wouldn't have to change your gmail address)! Celeste :)

Euwwww....that's making me rethink leaving small cans for homeowners!

Jon makes a very good point about indicating to your son what a gun can do. I did not have to go the the extent of killing an animal when demonstrating the power of handguns to my daughters - watermelons and pumpkins were very effective splatfests. We have multiple firearms in our home since we're both avid hunters - we've never had one child even so much as TOUCH one (knock on wood) without one of us present. We also keep them unloaded and trigger locked as well as a cable with an audible alarm on it. Our elementary school went as far as to give away trigger locks this past fall! Celeste

We're right with Mike and Brent.......if we've been paid and the customer calls back, call Roger "Johnny on the spot" - we want to keep our customers happy. We also try to do what Brent has specified, couple walk arounds and revisit if the circumstances may be different enough to change the view. Celeste

Hey Ken, Are your coupons some that you have produced by through your printer that does your mailers, etc...? How has your return been on them and is this the only way you give them out? Maybe these would be better addressed in a marketing thread :) Celeste

Jeff, I love your posts.......truly inspirational. Keep up the good work and the awesome sharing!!! Guys like you will continue to help raise the bar in this profession :) Celeste

Networking with a deck builder has proven very profitable for us - he gives us the "real skinny" on what he's building, he knows our pricing and builds the stain work into his price.....haven't had to chase a homeowner for payment either :) Also, since we're in with several custom home builders, it gives us an opportunity to refer his services in return. It's a beautiful thing :) Our local homebuilders association and BNI's are also a realtively inexpensive way to network with your local professionals. We're exploring the homeshow thing for '07 - Roger's sister works for a company that makes those booths so we'll get some break there I hope :) Celeste

With this in mind - it is always vitally important to know what was in your bucket last or at least to be certain that you cleaned it well! Be safe everyone! Celeste

Yeah, what Jim said :) Also, the clutter factor goes away or is not as high with an open trailer as well - there happens to be a pack rat gene in our family belonging to an unnamed member of our company. If there was the slightest opportunity for our stuff to be enclosed/covered/hidden from public view....suffice it say the equipment would be hopelessly buried in less than a week. Open is clean! A removable cover would rock! Celeste

Definitely a large charge for the PITA factor plus the cost of the lift. After that, your routine sq ft charge should do you nicely :) Celeste

It is very nice - it's made from a heavier duty vinyl than store grill covers which to me would equate to staying on your machine better, less tendence to rip under windy circumstances, etc... :) Celeste

I spoke to a very smart individual today, lots of work in log homes, who told me that with logs, you develop a relationship with the homeowner first, you maintain the relationship with the House. As far as what we offer for the work we do, we determine what the job needs to look and perform its best and price accordingly. The customer gets a full breakdown of what we're doing, but no options to delete a service. In other words, if it's a severe strip and there's going to be defelting, it's in there. Only real upsell we do for decks is a two tone. The other processes are required and we perform them. Celeste